CAZENOVIA >> Smiles never left Cazenovia students Ashley Winn, Jessy Silfer or Emily Willard's faces when they picked up a pen and decided what school they were planning on attending and becoming student athletes at next year.

Relief was the consensus of all three on what it felt like to have the decision made, and to do so in front of their coaches, family and friends.

Winn said she planned on being "a Minutewoman," agreeing to run Division I track and field for the University of Massachusetts while majoring in kinesiology.

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"They made me feel comfortable on my visit," said Winn, who stars on Cazenovia's winter and spring track and field teams. "That was the biggest thing in deciding to go there.

"I couldn't be more excited."

She also said Syracuse was in the mix.

For Silfer, her decision to become a Hawkeye on the University of Iowa's Division I field hockey team was based on family.

"Really they told me that being a part of (the field hockey) team was being a part of a family and I really felt that," said Silfer, who's brother and parents all donned Iowa gear during the signing. Like Winn, Silfer had Syracuse in the mix along with a couple of other schools. She said Iowa ultimately felt like the right place. She plans to major in human sciences.

Also considering a human science major -- but one she said could change -- was field hockey teammate Willard. She signed a letter of intent to play field hockey for Division II Mansfield University of Pennsylvania. Willard said Slippery Rock was also briefly considered but really the decision for Mansfield was an easy one.

"I liked everything about it," she said. "I didn't have much doubt that (Mansfield) is where I wanted to go after I visited."